Child, woman drown off unguarded Wildwood, NJ beach

A woman and a child drowned off a popular south New Jersey resort community, where vacationers say rip currents were strong enough to have swept them away.

[Kelly7]

My condolences...

[Spider]

Very unfortunate and irresponsible. But I'm sure the lifeguards, state, coast guard and anybody just standing around will get sued.

[Professor Chaos]

Kelly7 wrote:

My condolences...

If the unthinkable ever happens and you find yourself in a similar situation swim PARALLEL to shore. The rip tides are usually only about 20 feet wide at the most.

[sorry for your loss]

I am so sorry. That is horrible! My condolences go out to the family!

[Batman]

Rest In Peace

[Kelly7]

Professor Chaos wrote:

<quoted text>
If the unthinkable ever happens and you find yourself in a similar situation swim PARALLEL to shore. The rip tides are usually only about 20 feet wide at the most.

My Dad was in the Navy. My brother retired after being a submariner for 20 years. I don't go in the ocean other then up to my knees; it's scary out there!
But I've heard that before - to swim parallel. Such a shame, I'm imagining it was a mom and her young child. Makes me grateful for the health of my children - even when they misbehave!

[deebo]

In our prayers wrote:

Lokks like they failed their swimming test :(

404 - Funny Not Found

[Ray Sist]

...water's still a bit cold yet for me.

[Professor Chaos]

Kelly7 wrote:

<quoted text>
My Dad was in the Navy. My brother retired after being a submariner for 20 years. I don't go in the ocean other then up to my knees; it's scary out there!
But I've heard that before - to swim parallel. Such a shame, I'm imagining it was a mom and her young child. Makes me grateful for the health of my children - even when they misbehave!

I should have mentioned that I was speaking from personal experience. Happened twice, actually. You have "0" chance of trying to swim against the things. I don't want to think of what those folks went through, what a way to go.

[kathy]

Simple smart test. Life guards off duty, stay out of the water. It's too bad that the innocent child died because of the adult's stupidity.

[Kelly7]

Professor Chaos wrote:

<quoted text>
I should have mentioned that I was speaking from personal experience. Happened twice, actually. You have "0" chance of trying to swim against the things. I don't want to think of what those folks went through, what a way to go.

Glad you made it through! A wave pool is about the most I want to experience!

[Serandi82]

kathy wrote:

Simple smart test. Life guards off duty, stay out of the water. It's too bad that the innocent child died because of the adult's stupidity.

THANK YOU! I'm glad someone said this!

[Eye for Eye]

Used to go to Wildwood every year as a kid. My Dad always said if you get caught in a rip tide go with the flow don't try to go against it. I guess if you panic you forget what you were told though.

[Professor Chaos]

Eye for Eye wrote:

Used to go to Wildwood every year as a kid. My Dad always said if you get caught in a rip tide go with the flow don't try to go against it. I guess if you panic you forget what you were told though.

Wouldn't advise that. They may carry you as far as a couple of hundred yards out to sea. I think you would expend less energy doing the parallel thing and then swiming back in.

[Allentown westender]

kathy wrote:

Simple smart test. Life guards off duty, stay out of the water. It's too bad that the innocent child died because of the adult's stupidity.

We go to Wildwood every summer, when the lifegaurds go off duty we leave the water. I am a strong swimmer and understand how to deal with rip current and undertow but it is just not worth the risk with the lives of my family. Water temp is up to 70 right now. With the fourth of July coming things are going to get crazy packed on the beach!!!

[Allentown westender]

All good advice but I think the key in what they said was not to not pannic. Yup parallel swim breath slow, stay calm and it is no problem. I feel badly for the family of those who drown. I am sure the Mother was thrying to save her child and a parent will pannic far easier with a child in danger. It is very sad.

Professor Chaos wrote:

<quoted text>
Wouldn't advise that. They may carry you as far as a couple of hundred yards out to sea. I think you would expend less energy doing the parallel thing and then swiming back in.

[Fran]

wow this is really sad. 2 summers ago a whole group of us got stuck in rip tide 2 moms and 6 kids (ages 12-15,bigger kids) and boom there we were rip tide, the life guards noticed right away, we of coarse "know" to swim Parallel to the beach but when you are looking at kids (some our yours and in my case it would not have mattered, mine or not) natural instinct kicks in SAVE the kids get them out of there, fortunately it was busy and others offered to help us but my friend (the other mom) had drifted out fast, very fast and she was rescued by life guards and was so exhausted, scared, etc. it is amazing how fast riptide occurs and how no matter what when you kids are involved how panic does set in I do not care how much training you have, it is damn scary. We all learned our lesson, again!!! The ocean is POWERFUL!!!! My sincere condolences.

[cat kid]

i am unusually talented when it comes to swimming, i am also trained in water safety and rescue. my family usually goes to the beach every year and i usually end up rescuing at least one or two swimmers every year due to poor swimming skills. it makes you wonder why people will literally risk their lives and the lives of family members, when they go to the beach, you will not find this kind of danger at the local public pool. these people get in a rip and off they go and panic mode hits. if you dont know basic swimming survival strokes and are not able to look at the ocean and see rip currents, and you are a poor swimmer, i would say to keep to the public pool. and most certainly if you go to the beach, dont swim after the lifeguard calls it quits for the night. if you are caught in a rip current, swim parralell to the beach and if you keep your head in the game, you will get out, however if you allow a child in the water and you suddenly find yourself trying to rescue that child, even a strong swimmer can have difficulty saving someone while you are both in a rip. my prayers to all involved

[Geo]

At least one good thing came out of this-there were no sharks in the water.

[Oh snap]

How likely is it that the kid was stuck in the rip and mom went out to help?